The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has issued a set of stringent directives ahead of the 2026 Hajj, introducing new rules on flight management, pilgrim grouping, medical fitness, and mandatory data submission.
These measures were contained in a press release titled, “NAHCON Directs Airlines to Issue 2026 Hajj Tickets Ahead of Departure,” dated December 4, 2025.
Naijaonpoint reports that the statement followed a meeting between the Commission and State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, as well as the four accredited Hajj carriers, held at the NAHCON headquarters in Abuja.
The statement, signed by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Fatima Sanda Usara, on behalf of the Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, stated: “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has directed all Hajj Carriers for 2026 airlifts, in collaboration with States Pilgrims Welfare Boards, to issue flight tickets to pilgrims scheduled to travel for the 2026 Hajj.”
NAHCON stressed that the directive aims to ensure that “every pilgrim is fully aware of his or her exact departure schedule vis-a-vis date, time and place of departure.”
The commission warned that, beginning from 2026, missing a flight would attract serious consequences. It noted: “Each pilgrim’s ticket will be digitally linked to their Nusuk Card, which will be pre-positioned in their assigned buses in Saudi Arabia.”
The Commission said that once visas are issued, pilgrims must remain in their assigned groups, which will consist of 45 people.
“They will travel together under a leader, be lodged together in the same hotel in Makkah, Madinah and Masha’ir, and return to Nigeria together after Hajj,” the statement added.
NAHCON disclosed that all vital travel records must be uploaded to the Nusuk Masar platform 72 hours before departure. These include group numbers, names, accommodation details, assigned buildings, and bed spaces.
“Any pilgrim absent at departure time will be treated as a no-show and will bear the penalty, which may include paying for the unutilised seat,” it stated, adding, “The Same goes for any defaulting party.”
Saudi Boarding Cards Introduced
A new procedure by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will now require a boarding card for each pilgrim, containing detailed travel information, including airline name, capacity, state, passenger list, departure and arrival details.
NAHCON warned that any mismatch in accommodation bookings could result in forfeiture of Hajj slots, noting: “If accommodation bookings do not match, Saudi Arabia will return the excess amount back to NAHCON’s account, and by implication, that slot will be forfeited.”
States were urged to expedite Hajj fare payments to avoid losing their slots.
NAHCON reiterated the new Saudi health protocols, stating: “Saudi Arabia’s new medical fitness requirement must be strictly enforced as there will be penalties.”
The Ministry has warned that pilgrims with any of the nine disqualifying conditions should not embark on the journey.
These include major organ failure (heart, liver, kidney, lungs), ongoing cancer treatment, serious psychiatric or neurological disorders, senility with dementia, high-risk pregnancies, and infectious diseases.
“Any pilgrim found to have any of the nine disqualifying medical conditions should not travel for Hajj and will bear the full cost of their deportation if they do so,” the ministry warned.
To enforce this, the Commission instructed State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to only partner with certified hospitals.
NAHCON confirmed that airline allocations for the 2026 Hajj had been shared with each State Pilgrims Board, although it cautioned that the list is subject to technical and infrastructural reviews. Approved carriers include Air Peace, Fly Nas, Max Air, and Umza Air.
Chairman of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, emphasized unity among stakeholders: “NAHCON’s success is everyone’s success.”
He called for continued collaboration between the Commission, airlines, and state boards to ensure a smooth and successful Hajj exercise.
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